In a new trailer for the upcoming Final Fantasy XV multiplayer expansion “Comrades,” Square Enix has featured a new song by Nobuo Uematsu with vocals by Emiko Suzuki, showcasing development footage of multiple player characters coming together to fight monsters across the land of Eos. The song, “Choosing Hope,” is the first Uematsu has composed for a Final Fantasy game since the main theme for Final Fantasy XII in 2006. FFXV spoilers ahead:
The DLC takes place during the “World of Ruin,” the ten years during which Noctis was encased in a giant crystal coma to ripen like an Ardyn-killing banana while the sun left the sky and monsters took over the land. Or tried to, anyway, as we heard tantalizing tidbits about Demon Slayer Iris, even in-game. We might even get to see her in her leveled-up Demon Slayer form! Maybe!
“Comrades” will let you create your own character and play online with up to three friends. You are one of the few surviving members of Final Fantasy XV’s elite Kingsglaive bodyguards, which you can learn more about in the tie-in CG movie Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV. While Bahamut rocks Noctis’ crystal cradle, you and your squad will fight off demons and try to keep the world inhabitable.
Characters across Eos, like Iris, the fat guy with the camera in that one city and that one old guy’s kid make appearances in the trailer. Also featured is an incredible Chocobo suit which should become every character’s default outfit. Since the expansion takes place after Chapter 13, make sure you’ve played up til that point to avoid getting spoiled by your own hunger for more of Final Fantasy XV ’s big ole world.
“All for the One True King,” says the trailer. “All for the Future of Our Star.” Lore: do you love it?
Square Enix previously held a closed beta for the expansion, which offered just a taste of what’s planned. Coming up with the full expansion, players can expect a big, full city, an expanded arsenal with weapons that can be leveled up, a wide array of royal sigils to enhance combat, more cooks and a wide range of meal-based boosts, meteorshards to unlock new quests or expand old ones, quest report cards, new photographs, the ability to play as the Chocobros and more.
There’s a lot more coming out for the world of Final Fantasy XV, including the much-anticipated (by me) Episode Ignis story DLC, Final Fantasy XV on PC, Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition for the chibi-lovers (me), and even a VR fishing game called Monsters of the Deep (okay?). The team is also looking at bringing Final Fantasy XV to the Nintendo Switch.
The multiplayer expansion will be available on Oct. 31. You can download it with the season pass or purchase it standalone, though no price has been shared yet. More info is available on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
- Engaging main cast of characters
- Fun, fast-paced combat
- A massive, beautiful world to explore
- The Regalia!
- Continuous updates have addressed some shortcomings of the initial release
- Major aspects of the story feel rushed or absent, particularly toward the end of the game
- Stealth sequences feel out of place
